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Firmware Engineer II Salary in the United States

How much does a Firmware Engineer II make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Firmware Engineer II in the United States is $94,800 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $46.

However, a Firmware Engineer II's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $104,352
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $88,400 to $99,800
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $82,573

Key Factors That Influence Firmware Engineer II Salaries

A Firmware Engineer II's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Firmware Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Firmware Engineer II's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Firmware Engineer I (0-2 years): $80,030
  • Firmware Engineer II (2-4 years): $94,771
  • Firmware Engineer III (4-7 years): $115,987
  • Firmware Engineer IV (7+ years): $141,502
  • Firmware Engineer V (7-10 years): $160,537
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Firmware Engineer I0-2 years$80,030
Firmware Engineer II2-4 years$94,771
Firmware Engineer III4-7 years$115,987
Firmware Engineer IV7+ years$141,502
Firmware Engineer V7-10 years$160,537

Top Paying Cities for Firmware Engineer IIs

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $119,600
  • San Francisco: $118,300
  • Oakland: $115,800

What Skills Can Increase a Firmware Engineer II's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 2.68% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Computer Engineering (Mentioned in 3.83% Job Postings): Computer engineering is a branch of electrical engineering that integrates several fields of computer science and electronic engineering required to develop computer hardware and software.
  • Algorithms (Mentioned in 2.74% Job Postings): Algorithms act as an exact list of instructions that conduct specified actions step by step in either hardware- or software-based routines.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 2.68%
Computer Engineering 3.83%
Algorithms 2.74%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Firmware Engineer II's salary.

  • Solution Design: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Android: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Written English: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Solution Design $102,384
8%
Android $101,436
7%
Written English $99,540
5%

Firmware Engineer II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Firmware Engineer II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $105,943. While startup companies pay approximate $89,617.

Firmware Engineer II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $89,617
Growth Stage 51~500 $94,779
Established 501~5000 $102,301
Enterprise 5000+ $105,943

Firmware Engineer II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Firmware Engineer II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Firmware Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Firmware Engineer II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Firmware Engineer II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$113,760$55.020%
Biotechnology$109,020$52.015%
Financial Services$109,020$52.015%
Internet$106,176$51.012%
Energy & Utilities$104,280$50.010%

Firmware Engineer II Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Firmware Engineer II's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$88,400
Average $94,800/year
$99,800
$7,367
Average $7,900/month
$8,317
$1,700
Average $1,823/week
$1,919
$43
Average $46/hour
$48
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $99,800 $8,317 $1,919 $48
Average $94,800 $7,900 $1,823 $46
25th Percentile $88,400 $7,367 $1,700 $43

Firmware Engineer II Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Firmware Engineer II, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Firmware Engineer III role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $116,000 - a projected growth of 22% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Firmware Engineer II

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Firmware Engineer II

Here are companies hiring for Firmware Engineer II and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Firmware Engineer II

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Firmware Engineer II?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Firmware Engineer II roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. How much does a firmware Engineer at Microsoft make?

A Firmware Engineer at Microsoft typically earns between $88,100 and $101,500 annually, depending on experience and role. For those with 2 to 5 years of experience, the salary may align closer to the minimum, while those with 3 to 8 years could see compensation approaching the mid to upper range.

3. What engineers make over 300k?

While many engineering roles can offer high salaries, positions such as Senior Engineering Director or Director of Software Engineering often exceed $300k. However, roles like Firmware Engineer typically range from $88,100 to $101,500, indicating that reaching the $300k mark is more common in senior or specialized positions.

4. Which engineers are most in demand in USA?

In the USA, Firmware Engineers are in high demand, with salaries ranging from $88,100 to $101,500, and a median salary of $93,800. Other in-demand engineering fields for 2025 include Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science Engineering, Electronics and Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Chemical Engineering.

5. How much does a firmware Engineer make at HP?

Firmware Engineers at HP earn between $88,100 and $101,500, with a mid-salary of $93,800. While some reports suggest an average of $116,000, the provided salary data indicates a more specific range for this role. The top 10% of employees may earn significantly more, but the core salary figures reflect the typical earnings for this position.

6. How much does a firmware engineer make in the US?

How much does a Firmware Engineer make? Based on recent data, the salary for a Firmware Engineer in the United States ranges from $88,100 to $101,500 annually, with a mid-salary of $93,800. This translates to approximately $42.37 to $48.83 per hour, or about $1,675 to $1,979 per week.

7. What is the salary of mid level firmware Engineer?

The estimated total pay for a mid-level Firmware Engineer is approximately $93,800 per year. This figure represents the midpoint of the salary range, which spans from a minimum of $88,100 to a maximum of $101,500, reflecting the competitive compensation in this field.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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